Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru Trekking

Among the most complete and suggestive tours we offer, this is the most exciting and rich one. You will have 13 days to climb the two highest peaks in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru.

Start with climbing Mount Meru (4566m) then Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m). The climb of Mt. Meru helps greatly in succeeding in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro due to the acquired acclimatization. Besides the acclimatization, the Mt. Meru climb is very enjoyable and beautiful, offering a unique landscape, flora and fauna found in the park plus some great views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Day 1: Moshi to Momela gate to Miriakamba hut.

Elevation: 1200m to 2470m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest

You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to the park gate. From there you walk through game-filled park land up to Miriakamba Hut (2470m). Along the way there are many spectacular views; including Kilimanjaro from Miriakamba Hut. You will encounter varieties of wildlife as you trek past the glades which support them. This day’s trek is not difficult because the terrain is very gradual which makes it a pleasant walk. Dinner and over nigh at Miriakamba hut.

Day 2: Miriakamba hut to Saddle hut.

Elevation: 2514m to 3570m
Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest to mooland and heather

The trail passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3570m). It is a steep day as you will gain 1056m of altitude. After reaching Saddle hut, an ascent to Little Meru is possible in the afternoon this segment takes one hour both ways and it is an acclimatization session before the summit attempt. Today you will be having a very early dinner then half night sleep at Saddle hut.

Day 3: Saddle hut to Socialist peak to Miriakamba hut.

Elevation: 3570m to 4566m to 2514m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 9-10 hours
Habitat: Moorland and heath, rocky and dust then forest

A very early start at 2:00am takes us to a superb viewpoint called Rhino Point on the crater rim and then onto an airy ridge which leads up to the summit. The trek will take about 5 hours then return back to Saddle hut for a short rest and lunch. Following this, the descent conntinues to Miriakamba hut where dinner and overnight will take place.

Day 4: Miriakamba hut to Momela gate.

Elevation:2514m to 1500m
Distance:10km
Hiking time:2 hours
Habitat:Forest

Walk back to the Park Gates in approximately 2 hours. You will be using the same route that you used to climb the mountain. Reaching back to the gate will allow the presentation of the certificates return by vehicle to your hotel in Moshi.

Day 5: Free day in Hotel in Moshi for Kilimanjaro preparation.

Day 6: From Hotel /Machame Gate /Machame Campsite.

Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
Distance: 13 km.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.

After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame gate. Here you will do the required registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame camp where you will find the tents are already set up for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Day 7: Machame Hut Campsite to Shira Campsite

Day 8: Shira campsite to Barranco campsite

Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.

This is a long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava tower rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Barranco campsite to Karanga campsite

Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland

Today is a short day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a bit of rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the scree slopes towards the southern ice field. You will then return to the camp for supper and overnight.
On the 6 day itinerary, after lunch on Day 4 the itinerary omits the afternoon acclimatization trek and continues to include the Day 5 trek, with dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp.

Day 10: Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite

Elevation: 3900m to 4620m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert

On this day, the trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walk takes a few hours because of the short distance but is steep needing a slow pace to avoid fatigue. You will trek across an alpine desert. Chances are that a strong, cold wind will be blowing from Kibo peak and its ice. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when you will attack the summit.

Day 11: Barafu Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp

Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.

Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some time taking photos but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities are done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.

Day 12: Mweka hut campsite to Mweka gate

Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and Ice

After breakfast, today is your last day on the mountain so you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest this descent will take 3-4 hours. Then here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for your certificate presentation celebration.

Day 13: Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town

KilimanjaroTravels.com driver will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or to Safari or Zanzibar if you have arranged extensions with us.

Included on the climb 

• Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
• Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
• Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees
• Transfers to/from the mountain gates.
• Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters.
• Three meals a day during the climb.
• Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain.
• Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees.
• Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy.
• Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick.
• Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns.
• Oxygen tank in case of emergency.
• Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent.
• Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters).

Excluded on the climb

Prices are per person per trip – all in $USD

Accommodation: overnight stays at campsites in Hilleberg | Vaude, 4 season, 2 person tents.

Accommodation in Moshi: Ameg lodge / Pink flamingo / Chanya lodge / Sal salinero hotel

Ascent & descent: different, ascent via Machame route, and descent via Mweka route.

Length: this route can be trekked within a minimum of 6 days in total, however an additional day for acclimatization is highly recommended.

Price: mid-range (higher priced compared to Marangu route due to length of trek and a larger number of support staff required to carry camping equipment e.g. tents etc.). Please contact us for price quote.

Success rate: high due to length of trek and acclimatization.

Acclimatization: very good

Level: beginner – intermediate

People traffic: very high

Note: You are responsible for bringing the required, recommended and optional personal gear and equipment listed below. Be very selective in what you take with you, our porters are limited to carry 15kg of your personal belongings. Communal equipment such as tents, food utensils et cetera is provided.

Required and recommended items.

• 1 x walking poles
• 1 x sleeping bag
• 1 x duffle bag
• 1 x waterproof jacket, breathable with hood
• 1 x insulated jacket, synthetic or down
• 1 x sleeping pad/mattress
• 1 x soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
• 2 x long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
• 1 x short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
• 1 x waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
• 2 x hiking pants (convertible to short recommended)
• 1 x fleece pants
• 1 x short (optional)
• 1 x long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
• 3 x underwear, briefs moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
• 2 x sport bra (women) head wear
• 1 x brimmed hat, for sun protection
• 1 x knit hat for warmth
• 1 x balaclava, for face coverage (optional)
• 1 x Bandana (optional) hand wear
• 1 x gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
• 1 x gloves liners, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional)
• 1 x hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
• 1 x Gym shoes to wear at camp (optional)
• 3 x socks, thick, wool or synthetic
• 3 x socks liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (option)
• 1 x gaiters, waterproof (option)
• 1 x sun glasses or goggles
• 1 x backpack cover, waterproof (optional)
• 1 x poncho, during rain season (optional)
• 1 x water bottle (Nalgene, 32oz (recommended)
• 1 x water bladder, camelback type (recommended)
• 1 x towel, light weight, quick-dry (optional)
• 1 x pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
• 1 x sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional)
• 1 x head lamp
• 1 x daypack, for you to carry your personal gear.

Rent your climbing equipment.

Climbing equipment can be rented on your arrival and payable in USD – cash only.